10 ms·

Tower 9 for Mac is here

26 points by brunobrito 4y ago

brunobrito 4y ago
Tower 9 for Mac has just been released. This 4-minute video covers everything you should know: https://youtu.be/CuCCGSlBkis https://youtu.be/CuCCGSlBkis Here's what's new — I'll be here if you have any questions! 1. Merge Improvements: - Merge UI: indicates the number of unresolved conflicts between two branches. Files now show badges depending on their status and it’s possible to view only conflicted files. - Instant Conflict Detection: when merging, the dialog will instantly let you know if conflicts will occur. - Restore Unmerged Versions of Files: developers can rollback accidental actions. - It is now possible to create empty commits (or skip them entirely) and edit commit messages after resolving conflicts. 2. Diffing improvements: - Auto-Expand Diffs in Changesets (you can set it to never, always, or for a number of items). - Large Diff Warnings (you can adjust the threshold in the Preferences, default is 20 kb). 3. New Features: - Snapshots: stashes that are automatically re-applied to the working copy (to quickly carry on with your work). - Reveal any commit, branch, or tag in Tower's "History" view. This is a free update for existing Tower users with a current subscription. New users can download a free 30-day trial. Also: Tower is free for students, teachers, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
- simondotau 4y ago
  > This is a free update for existing Tower users. Given the pricing model precludes ongoing use without ongoing payment, this would seem to be a rather disingenuous thing for them to say.
  - brunobrito 4y ago
    Yes, that's understandable. But we still prefer to make it clear to everyone.
    - patrickserrano 4y ago
      I feel like saying "Free for existing users with a current subscription" would be a lot more clear. I'm a customer who owns an older perpetual license and a lapsed subscription but it's not free for me since I'd need to restart my subscription to use it.
      - brunobrito 4y ago
        Thank you for your suggestion! I have edited my comment and will keep that in mind for the future. Also, thank you for your support — if you'd like to give the new features a try and you run into any issues, just let us know.
        simondotau 4y ago
        I’m in a similar situation. If you change your pricing model so that a lapsed subscription means an end to updates rather than an end to access, I’ll upgrade my Tower 2 license immediately. I do understand that your current licensing model is probably very effective at getting big revenue out of corporates. I am a solo user who interacts with git maybe once or twice a week. I know I’m not an important customer for you, but it is sad you can’t even throw a bone to the little guy.
      - deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
tristanb 4y ago
I was a really happy Tower user before they moved to SAAS. I can’t justify a monthly fee for a git client.
- mikl 4y ago
  Same here. I now recommend https://git-fork.com https://git-fork.com – great client, much more sensible pricing model.
  - kitsunesoba 4y ago
    Been using Fork for several years at this point and it’s treated me very well. Out of the clients I’ve tried, Fork and Sublime Merge are by far the best in terms of feeling lightweight, responsive, and stable without skimping on features, and Fork’s UI is built in the way that makes most sense to me.
- atonse 4y ago
  I held out for more than a year and then gave in. Having to research, find, and learn a new git GUI was going to cost me more than $70. So I've punted the problem for another year. But I strongly agree that it's absolutely the wrong fit for this kind of app. They will start adding all kinds of bloat just to justify the monthly fee.
  - colinjoy 4y ago
    Not researching, finding and learning a new git GUI is also going to cost you more than $70. Year, after year, after year ...
  - BiteCode_dev 4y ago
    One more reason to learn the command line. Once you know how git cli works, any UI is easy to understand. No vendor lock in.
    - hombre_fatal 4y ago
      A gui adds a lot on top of a git cli for me. Scrolling diffs/history and adding/removing staged lines alone is better. Using a gui doesn’t mean you didn’t arrive there deliberately.
mantas 4y ago
Pay-once licence, please. Feel free to charge for major upgrades, but subscription is unacceptable. Still using Tower 2 sometimes :)
vemv 4y ago
Last week I finally made the leap from Tower 2 (which was the last non-recurring one) to a modern version. The transition was smooth but also it's very annoying that when you open a project and press the down key, it moves through the lateral menu instead of through the files (until you hit one file). This breaks ~6 years of muscle memory. Could this please be amended (in an opt-in manner, of course)? It would re-gain my trust, which is necessary for paying a subscription.
- mindhunter 4y ago
  I recently made the leap in the opposite direction: after being asked to pay 59€ to continue using the app I downloaded Tower 2. So far I'm not missing anything they introduced since then. I'm actually happy about the old app icon. When the warning that the license is running out popped up some time ago I expected the app to still work. Just that I won't get any new updates (like Sketch). But no: it just stops working and demands more money. Pew....
  - rob74 4y ago
    > it just stops working and demands more money Now I start to understand that licensing models like JetBrains' "perpetual fallback license" are really fair. Of course, the "buy once and get all updates" licenses which were available back in the day when apps such as Sublime Text were called "shareware" (actually Sublime Text still has a similar license: if you buy it, you get 3 years of updates) were even better, but hey, software developers need to eat too...
- brunobrito 4y ago
  Glad the transition was smooth (for the most part)! Thank you for trying out a new version of Tower. That's definitely a nice suggestion — I will pass it on to the team.
jillesvangurp 4y ago
What UIs are people using these days other than this? I'm mostly using command line but I like having something simple for commit editing and reviewing diffs file by file. I was using gitg for the last months on a linux laptop for this, which is fine but not spectacular. I got my new mac (finally) after waiting for that for several months yesterday and to my pleasant surprise, gitx is still being maintained and getting updates: https://github.com/gitx/gitx https://github.com/gitx/gitx I've used that for many years and I love it. But curious to hear what others use. Closed source is a bit of a non starter for me usually.
- smoldesu 4y ago
  I use gitg as well, I think it does a fine job of the important stuff for me (visualizing commit history, viewing diffs, managing branch operations) but it certainly is a bit on the bare-bones side of things. As a side-note, gitg will actually compile for MacOS, but modern GTK/GNOME libs are really poorly optimized for the platform. If it didn't make my Mac 70c when launching gitg, I'd probably feel more comfortable using it as my only git client.
- lyptt 4y ago
  I've used GitUp for years: https://gitup.co https://gitup.co Free, open source, and has really nice keyboard navigation / shortcuts.
- apocalyptic0n3 4y ago
  I really like Sublime Merge. The interface should be an easy transition coming from the CLI (its focus seems to be on making the CLI convenient over creating a pretty interface like Tower and Kraken and SourceTree try to). And it's from Sublime, one of the most consistently high quality development teams out there.
- chrischen 4y ago
  Have been really happy with Fork. I wish I could pay them more for updates (not a subscription though).
- rgoulter 4y ago
nullfield 4y ago
Take a hint from JetBrains or something, and if you absolutely must have some subscription fee guarantee a permanent version, and then actually patch bugs in all the versions for a reasonable time. Or just sell us a product, and offer maintenance/sell upgrades if you must. Otherwise, go out of business - especially for this kind of product.
orf 4y ago
The Git UI built into all Jetbrains products (Pycharm, IntelliJ, etc) is fantastic and does everything you’d need. Why would you pay for something separate?
- brunobrito 4y ago
  I'm not very familiar with how Jetbrains products handle Git — if it has everything you're looking for, I understand it can be a hard sell. Most of our users enjoy Tower's ease of use, with features such as drag and drop to perform most tasks (including rebasing, cherry-picking, etc) or the possibility to undo pretty much everything (probably my favorite feature: https://www.git-tower.com/features/undo/mac https://www.git-tower.com/features/undo/mac). Many complex Git actions (e.g.: branch comparison or solving merging conflicts) are very simple to perform in Tower. If you ever find the time, I suggest you give our trial version a shot!
- zippergz 4y ago
  Maybe Java people like it because it feels very Java-like, but that's a huge downside to me for any other language. I can't stand using Pycharm. So heavy weight, slow, bloated, ugly. Reminds me of using Eclipse.
BiteCode_dev 4y ago
This is requiring a subscription, and it mac/windows only. Sublime-merge supports also Linux, is a very nice git ui, and you pay once for the licence. If you like Sublime text, it's the same type of experience, but for git.
vr46 4y ago
Used Tower since 1.0 but ditched it last month. Moved back to non-subscription Tower 1.0 but focusing on lazygit and CLI with merge support from old Kaleidoscope version. VSC is more than a good enough git gui too. Tower’s GUI just became crap over time, it was a step forwards moving back, ironically.
- brunobrito 4y ago
  We're sorry to see you go! I would love to know what went wrong, if you ever find the time — just email bruno + our domain name.
  - vr46 4y ago
    Sure Bruno, I'll email you now.
terpimost 4y ago
Does Tower support env variables? Last time I checked they didn’t. I wonder if there is any GUI git app which duplicates/shows exactly which git console commands were used?
- brunobrito 4y ago
  We do support environment variables, though not through the UI yet — it’s on our top priority list. One can use a file to adjust env variables: https://www.git-tower.com/help/guides/integration/environment/mac https://www.git-tower.com/help/guides/integration/environmen...
nunez 4y ago
as someone who only uses git from a terminal: what advantages do guis bring?

26 points by brunobrito 4y ago

Tower 9 for Mac has just been released. This 4-minute video covers everything you should know: https://youtu.be/CuCCGSlBkis https://youtu.be/CuCCGSlBkis Here's what's new — I'll be here if you have any questions! 1. Merge Improvements: - Merge UI: indicates the number of unresolved conflicts between two branches. Files now show badges depending on their status and it’s possible to view only conflicted files. - Instant Conflict Detection: when merging, the dialog will instantly let you know if conflicts will occur. - Restore Unmerged Versions of Files: developers can rollback accidental actions. - It is now possible to create empty commits (or skip them entirely) and edit commit messages after resolving conflicts. 2. Diffing improvements: - Auto-Expand Diffs in Changesets (you can set it to never, always, or for a number of items). - Large Diff Warnings (you can adjust the threshold in the Preferences, default is 20 kb). 3. New Features: - Snapshots: stashes that are automatically re-applied to the working copy (to quickly carry on with your work). - Reveal any commit, branch, or tag in Tower's "History" view. This is a free update for existing Tower users with a current subscription. New users can download a free 30-day trial. Also: Tower is free for students, teachers, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.

simondotau 4y ago
> This is a free update for existing Tower users. Given the pricing model precludes ongoing use without ongoing payment, this would seem to be a rather disingenuous thing for them to say.
- brunobrito 4y ago
  Yes, that's understandable. But we still prefer to make it clear to everyone.
  - patrickserrano 4y ago
    I feel like saying "Free for existing users with a current subscription" would be a lot more clear. I'm a customer who owns an older perpetual license and a lapsed subscription but it's not free for me since I'd need to restart my subscription to use it.
    - brunobrito 4y ago
      Thank you for your suggestion! I have edited my comment and will keep that in mind for the future. Also, thank you for your support — if you'd like to give the new features a try and you run into any issues, just let us know.
      - simondotau 4y ago
        I’m in a similar situation. If you change your pricing model so that a lapsed subscription means an end to updates rather than an end to access, I’ll upgrade my Tower 2 license immediately. I do understand that your current licensing model is probably very effective at getting big revenue out of corporates. I am a solo user who interacts with git maybe once or twice a week. I know I’m not an important customer for you, but it is sad you can’t even throw a bone to the little guy.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]

tristanb 4y ago

I was a really happy Tower user before they moved to SAAS. I can’t justify a monthly fee for a git client.

mikl 4y ago
Same here. I now recommend https://git-fork.com https://git-fork.com – great client, much more sensible pricing model.
- kitsunesoba 4y ago
  Been using Fork for several years at this point and it’s treated me very well. Out of the clients I’ve tried, Fork and Sublime Merge are by far the best in terms of feeling lightweight, responsive, and stable without skimping on features, and Fork’s UI is built in the way that makes most sense to me.
atonse 4y ago
I held out for more than a year and then gave in. Having to research, find, and learn a new git GUI was going to cost me more than $70. So I've punted the problem for another year. But I strongly agree that it's absolutely the wrong fit for this kind of app. They will start adding all kinds of bloat just to justify the monthly fee.
- colinjoy 4y ago
  Not researching, finding and learning a new git GUI is also going to cost you more than $70. Year, after year, after year ...
- BiteCode_dev 4y ago
  One more reason to learn the command line. Once you know how git cli works, any UI is easy to understand. No vendor lock in.
  - hombre_fatal 4y ago
    A gui adds a lot on top of a git cli for me. Scrolling diffs/history and adding/removing staged lines alone is better. Using a gui doesn’t mean you didn’t arrive there deliberately.

mantas 4y ago

Pay-once licence, please. Feel free to charge for major upgrades, but subscription is unacceptable. Still using Tower 2 sometimes :)

vemv 4y ago

Last week I finally made the leap from Tower 2 (which was the last non-recurring one) to a modern version. The transition was smooth but also it's very annoying that when you open a project and press the down key, it moves through the lateral menu instead of through the files (until you hit one file). This breaks ~6 years of muscle memory. Could this please be amended (in an opt-in manner, of course)? It would re-gain my trust, which is necessary for paying a subscription.

mindhunter 4y ago
I recently made the leap in the opposite direction: after being asked to pay 59€ to continue using the app I downloaded Tower 2. So far I'm not missing anything they introduced since then. I'm actually happy about the old app icon. When the warning that the license is running out popped up some time ago I expected the app to still work. Just that I won't get any new updates (like Sketch). But no: it just stops working and demands more money. Pew....
- rob74 4y ago
  > it just stops working and demands more money Now I start to understand that licensing models like JetBrains' "perpetual fallback license" are really fair. Of course, the "buy once and get all updates" licenses which were available back in the day when apps such as Sublime Text were called "shareware" (actually Sublime Text still has a similar license: if you buy it, you get 3 years of updates) were even better, but hey, software developers need to eat too...
brunobrito 4y ago
Glad the transition was smooth (for the most part)! Thank you for trying out a new version of Tower. That's definitely a nice suggestion — I will pass it on to the team.

jillesvangurp 4y ago

What UIs are people using these days other than this? I'm mostly using command line but I like having something simple for commit editing and reviewing diffs file by file. I was using gitg for the last months on a linux laptop for this, which is fine but not spectacular. I got my new mac (finally) after waiting for that for several months yesterday and to my pleasant surprise, gitx is still being maintained and getting updates: https://github.com/gitx/gitx https://github.com/gitx/gitx I've used that for many years and I love it. But curious to hear what others use. Closed source is a bit of a non starter for me usually.

smoldesu 4y ago
I use gitg as well, I think it does a fine job of the important stuff for me (visualizing commit history, viewing diffs, managing branch operations) but it certainly is a bit on the bare-bones side of things. As a side-note, gitg will actually compile for MacOS, but modern GTK/GNOME libs are really poorly optimized for the platform. If it didn't make my Mac 70c when launching gitg, I'd probably feel more comfortable using it as my only git client.
lyptt 4y ago
I've used GitUp for years: https://gitup.co https://gitup.co Free, open source, and has really nice keyboard navigation / shortcuts.
apocalyptic0n3 4y ago
I really like Sublime Merge. The interface should be an easy transition coming from the CLI (its focus seems to be on making the CLI convenient over creating a pretty interface like Tower and Kraken and SourceTree try to). And it's from Sublime, one of the most consistently high quality development teams out there.
chrischen 4y ago
Have been really happy with Fork. I wish I could pay them more for updates (not a subscription though).
rgoulter 4y ago

nullfield 4y ago

Take a hint from JetBrains or something, and if you absolutely must have some subscription fee guarantee a permanent version, and then actually patch bugs in all the versions for a reasonable time. Or just sell us a product, and offer maintenance/sell upgrades if you must. Otherwise, go out of business - especially for this kind of product.

orf 4y ago

The Git UI built into all Jetbrains products (Pycharm, IntelliJ, etc) is fantastic and does everything you’d need. Why would you pay for something separate?

brunobrito 4y ago
I'm not very familiar with how Jetbrains products handle Git — if it has everything you're looking for, I understand it can be a hard sell. Most of our users enjoy Tower's ease of use, with features such as drag and drop to perform most tasks (including rebasing, cherry-picking, etc) or the possibility to undo pretty much everything (probably my favorite feature: https://www.git-tower.com/features/undo/mac https://www.git-tower.com/features/undo/mac). Many complex Git actions (e.g.: branch comparison or solving merging conflicts) are very simple to perform in Tower. If you ever find the time, I suggest you give our trial version a shot!
zippergz 4y ago
Maybe Java people like it because it feels very Java-like, but that's a huge downside to me for any other language. I can't stand using Pycharm. So heavy weight, slow, bloated, ugly. Reminds me of using Eclipse.

BiteCode_dev 4y ago

This is requiring a subscription, and it mac/windows only. Sublime-merge supports also Linux, is a very nice git ui, and you pay once for the licence. If you like Sublime text, it's the same type of experience, but for git.

vr46 4y ago

Used Tower since 1.0 but ditched it last month. Moved back to non-subscription Tower 1.0 but focusing on lazygit and CLI with merge support from old Kaleidoscope version. VSC is more than a good enough git gui too. Tower’s GUI just became crap over time, it was a step forwards moving back, ironically.

brunobrito 4y ago
We're sorry to see you go! I would love to know what went wrong, if you ever find the time — just email bruno + our domain name.
- vr46 4y ago
  Sure Bruno, I'll email you now.

terpimost 4y ago

Does Tower support env variables? Last time I checked they didn’t. I wonder if there is any GUI git app which duplicates/shows exactly which git console commands were used?

brunobrito 4y ago
We do support environment variables, though not through the UI yet — it’s on our top priority list. One can use a file to adjust env variables: https://www.git-tower.com/help/guides/integration/environment/mac https://www.git-tower.com/help/guides/integration/environmen...

nunez 4y ago

as someone who only uses git from a terminal: what advantages do guis bring?